Booklist (03/15/2022):

Preschool-Grade 2 *Starred Review* The Australian creator of Ollie and Augustus (2020) offers a comical look at admiration gone too far. Norton--a thin, schnauzerlike dog--likes to dress differently. The dapper pup spends hours selecting just the right sweater, scarf, or beret to make him feel properly unique. When an oversized bear begins copying his couture, Norton is miffed and driven to take his fashion to increasingly ridiculous heights (socks over boots, a stick in his sweater, a flower in his hat) in order to maintain his individuality. Eventually he screams, "Stop copying me!" which works for a while but leaves Norton feeling unexpectedly bad about the situation. Evans' whimsical watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations are a delight. They feature a mix of human and animal characters, all impeccably dressed; of particular note are the shopkeepers, including a mole and an owl attired in tuxedos. Compositions vary from detailed, full-page shop scenes to borderless, multi-paneled spot art to full-page illustrations. The color palette for most spreads is muted (browns, roses, greens), which makes a vibrant blue cape in the final scenes pop off the page. With a message sure to resonate with both trend setters and followers, this story will have wide appeal, especially for those with time to savor the artwork. COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.